title: Compatibility of 5-fluorouracil and total parenteral nutrition solutions.
abstract: The physicochemical stability and availability of 0.1% 5-fluorouracil solutions in D5W and a typical total parenteral nutrition solution (hypertonic dextrose and crystalline amino acids) were studied in both glass and Viaflex delivery systems. Serial samples collected over a 48-hour period were assayed for 5-fluorouracil concentration using a high performance liquid chromatographic technique. Changes in the pH as well as precipitate formation were also investigated. There was no reduction in the amount of 5-fluorouracil at 48 hours in either the glass or plastic system, regardless of whether the drug was added to D5W or to the total parenteral nutrition solution. No pH changes or precipitates were observed. These findings indicate that 5-fluorouracil is compatible with and available from total parenteral solutions of hypertonic dextrose and amino acid in both plastic and glass containers. Use of such a system would allow for (1) a reduction in vascular access in patients receiving both treatments and (2) continued administration of nutritional support without the requirement for additional fluid volume.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004355:Drug Stability; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D005947:Glucose; D005472:Fluorouracil